Umbrella Addition to the Patio

Since I added the patio space to my backyard last year, this is the second season I’ve gotten to use it. I’m still so happy that I decided to have it built out. The whole look enhances my backyard so much. Having a screened porch and now a patio just makes my backyard that much more enjoyable. Plus it’s really pretty to look at! When I walk out my back door now, that patio connects the mudroom/laundry room door to my back porch and it’s all one big space. No more mud and debris get tracked in and that’s a really nice bonus!

Although… one thing has been missing on my patio and that was a big umbrella to shade the seating area that I was fortunate to add last year. It’s a great big open space, but when the sun is out, it’s brutally hot. I had plans to get a cantilever umbrella back there and never got around to it. Cantilever was exactly what I needed for this space.

Do you know the difference between cantilever and regular umbrellas? Cantilever umbrellas hang over an area so that the pole is behind and not in the middle of your space. It was just what I needed back there to complete my patio.

This blog of mine brings me a lot of opportunities, and when I heard from Starfire Direct about wanting to work with me on an update for my patio, the company just happened to carry cantilever umbrellas. It was definitely my lucky day, except I don’t believe in luck, so I’ll say blessed day! They also carry a lot of other unique outdoor items that can beautify your exterior spaces. I’ll be sharing some of my other favorites with you later in this blog.

The umbrella FIM C-Series Cantilever Umbrella was shipped to me in two boxes and Mark helped me put it together. I don’t know what I’d do without his help, since following instructions and putting things together like this is sometimes hard for me. Plus, this is one substantial umbrella! It’s very heavy with a graphite coated aluminum frame and base.

The umbrella spans 10 and 1/2 feet and really covers my entire sectional sofa, which is so very nice.

I love the presence it has on my patio. I took a lot of pics, so please bear with me. It’s really exciting to get this patio completely finished. There’s only one more little project I want to do back here.

I took these pics in the early morning, when the sun was dappling through the trees, so you can see how it looks during different lighting. I also took more late afternoon when the sun moved across the house and it was shady.

This picture shows how large and substantial the umbrella is– it covers such a big area!

A shot from the steps coming out of my screened porch. It’s such a pretty view from here.

And the far side of the patio with more seating areas.

You’ll see my fire pit in quite a few of these photos. While I didn’t purchase mine from Starfire Direct, they do offer a really great selection of fire pits if that’s something that’s been on your list! They’re great additions to any outside patio area, especially during the upcoming months!

I wanted everything to be pretty for pictures, so I added plenty of plants back here.

Yum alert! Birch Beer was introduced to me by Mark and has become a favorite of mine. It’s a soft drink by the way, with cane sugar. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a deep red cherry color and sort of has a cherry flavor to me. It’s so good, have you heard of it?

My other flowers were spent from the summer heat, so I picked up these colorful orange and white zinnias for extra color back here and they should last until the first frost.

This butterfly, a Monarch I think, found the flowers as soon as I put them back here and I was able to capture that beauty.

Here you can see the substantial base of the umbrella, this is called the Freestanding Offset Base. In total, the entire base has a footprint of 26” by 50” and it requires 2 large paver stones (of your choice) on either side, each 24” x 24″ in size. The paver stones I chose weigh probably 75 lbs. each so they should have no problem holding the umbrella down, as the suggested weight is 220 lbs. for keeping the umbrella in its place.

If a free-standing base doesn’t fit well with your outside area, the umbrella can be purchased with a wide variety of bases, including some that allow you to secure the umbrella to your deck or insert it into the ground.

The patio is now complete and ready to enjoy. I can’t wait to use it more.

It will be nice in the middle of the day when the weather cools off a bit to sit out here and enjoy the fall temps.

I can also see a nap or two in my future… plus, this will be a great place to read!

The only other thing I want to do in this area is add a privacy fence. My dad and I have already talked about it. I’m going to add a white vinyl fence right behind these chairs, which will be 6′ tall to shield the patio from the neighbors. There’s nothing there now for privacy so that will be a nice addition. I don’t want to be in a fishbowl with the nearby neighbors!

This umbrella totally completes my space and makes it so much more enjoyable. The color is a perfect match– Echo Limelight!

Here is a shot of the umbrella from underneath. I’ll be using a specific cover for the umbrella to keep it in pristine condition. Even though the umbrella is sturdy and the pavers are heavy, just to be safe – I won’t be leaving the umbrella up when I’m not out there. You never know with these storms we have sometimes!

And during the winter months, I can easily snap off the umbrella from the base, cover it with the cover and take it inside to store. Last year when winter came, I rolled up my rug, took all my cushions inside the screened porch and covered them with sheets to protect them. It seems to be the best thing to do in the winter months to protect and keep everything looking nice and new! I also cover my sectional sofa with a big tarp to protect it during winter months, even though it’s vinyl. Better to be safe than sorry! I want my patio furniture and umbrella to last me years and years.

I’m absolutely thrilled with my patio and the addition of the new umbrella from Starfire Direct. They have a lot of unique outdoor products that can really help you take your outdoor spaces up a notch. I can definitely vouch for this cantilever umbrella, made of Sunbrella fabric.

Here’s a look at a few other things that caught my eye on the site. I hope you’ll take a look!

My readers get a 10% discount on their first purchase, so make sure to use code Southern10 for 10% off. Thanks for stopping by today and following along on my house progress. I love crossing things off the list and this is a major improvement for my patio space.

Hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer!

Note: This is a sponsored post from Starfire Direct, but all opinions and words are my own.

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Comments

Rhoda, the addition of the umbrella is so perfect! You will definitely enjoy your lovely patio this fall when the temps go down! A cup of coffee and a good book and you can spend many beautiful mornings out there. Then with your fire pit the autumn evenings will be so enjoyable! Happy Thursday, Pam @ Everyday Living

Rhoda, this is perfect! Now with the addition of the umbrella you will get so much more use of your beautiful patio area. And it looks like a good sturdy umbrella that will last a long time. You are so fortunate to receive this for your patio. You can start your parties early while the sun is shining and then go into night with that fire pit area ☺ I wanted to ask you if you know the name of the green plant you have planted in the round container in front of your sectional sofa? My Mothers Sunday School teacher gave her a cutting of it years ago and now I have it and I would love to know what it is.

Lynne, thank you so much, I will definitely be enjoying this patio more now, especially with Fall weather coming. I think you might mean the Purslane planted in the round container? The one right beside the sofa is zinnias and the other one is purslane. I just went back and looked at the pics again and you probably mean the round pottery planter on my coffee table? I do not remember what that middle plant is, I did that planter over a year ago with some plants from Lowes.

I love that you said you were blessed with the partnership with Starfire Direct…..you work hard to present vendor products in a fair and friendly manner and they are all blessed to work with you. I have purchased several of the items you have featured starting with Frog Tape way back when!! And I have never been disappointed….thanks for sharing so many great ideas!

Thank you so much, I do truly feel blessed to get to do this blog thing and work with so many wonderful brands in my home renovations. Thank you for taking time to tell me that. I still use Frog Tape too!

Thank you Tara! I think that privacy wall will be a much better fit for that area and screen the neighbors too, so that’s what I’m going for. Dad is going to help me with that one. Get yourself some Birch Beer!

That umbrella is beautiful! So great that you can use it anywhere, so much more useful than the hole in the table type. I am really interested in some vinyl lattice and fencing but it always looks so new. I keep thinking if I install it, I’m going to spray it with moss and buttermilk blended up, Martha Stewart idea, of course 😉

Love your patio and yes it’s even nicer with the umbrella! Love your blog! I have been following you for 4 years. One of my first blogs to read! Keep up the hard work you are an amazing women that inspires me and other baby boomers!

Oh Rhoda, I am sure you are watching the weather channel…those beautiful areas you just visited. I just saw the restaurant where we would eat at Cedar Key. The waves, winds and storm surge and it hasn’t made landfall yet. Sure am praying for all those people!!

HI Karen, thank you! The rug came from Overstock, but I’ve seen it other places too. I usually use my blower to blow off leaves and debris from the path. I could also vacuum with my shop vac. I just got a cordless blower so it’s going to come in handy for the patio.

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? More...